NBAA Update Archive

NBAA Update #08-50
Monday, December 15, 2008

NBAA Update is the National Business Aviation Association's weekly e-mail newsletter, providing
the latest operational, regulatory and legislative news for the business aviation community.
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Business Aviation News & Issues

NBAA Letter to Congress: Business Aviation Vital to Companies, CommunitiesAs Washington policymakers last week considered a financial assistance package for the U.S. auto industry, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen cited concerns about language in the proposal applying to business aviation use by the auto companies. In letters to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-8-CA), and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Bolen said the language "appears to prohibit the use of business aviation in ALL situations, including when it is the sole mode of transportation available to a business, or it is the most prudent and cost-effective solution to a given transportation challenge." Bolen's letter reiterated the many reasons companies and communities rely on business aviation. To review both letters, visit NBAA's letter archives at:http://www.nbaa.org/advocacy/letters/

Congressional Leaders Support Business Aviation in Recent Auto Bill DiscussionsNBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen last week thanked congressional leaders who questioned the inclusion of a provision in a proposed auto assistance bill that could have unintended consequences for companies that rely on business aviation. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), with Reps. Sam Graves (R-6-MO) and Todd Tiahrt (R-4-KS) expressed support for the value of business aviation to companies and communities across the country. Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-03-MI) authored a letter to House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-4-MA), co-signed by Reps. John Barrow (D-12-GA) and Thomas Petri (R-06-WI), outlining the importance of general aviation to the U.S. economy and expressing concern about the impact of the provision. "We thank these congressional leaders for their continued support of business aviation," Bolen said. To view the letter, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/advocacy/letters/20081212-Frank.pdf

NBAA, Other Groups Call for Stimulus Package Investment in AviationNBAA and 11 other industry groups last week urged Congress to keep in mind the vital economic growth that is fostered by aviation investments as the House and Senate consider a broad economic stimulus package. "It's long been understood that investments in aviation provide a tremendous return to cities and towns throughout the country," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "As Congress considers an economic stimulus package, we want to ensure that this benefit is recognized." To view the full press release, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2008/20081212-062.php

NBAA Welcomes Appeals Court Decision on Slot Auctions for New York AirportsAlthough general aviation accounts for a small and declining number of operations at major hub airports in the New York area, NBAA has opposed slot auctions, preferring to emphasize policies that expand capacity. Last week, the Association welcomed an order by the U.S. Court of Appeals that prohibits the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from auctioning slots at Newark (EWR), LaGuardia (LGA) and John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airports. "We hope the FAA will give renewed consideration to the numerous recommendations aviation stakeholders provided earlier this year for expanding capacity at the airport," NBAA’s Steve Brown, senior vice president, operations.

Reduced Wattage Test of New York VOLMET Station Will Conclude This Saturday
The FAA is conducting a test on the New York high frequency VOLMET station, which broadcasts meteorological information to aircraft in flight over the Atlantic Ocean. During the test, which runs until this Saturday, December 20, the wattage of the New York VOLMET station is reduced from 5,000 watts to 1,000 watts on all four of the VOLMET station's frequencies. General aviation operators flying in the North Atlantic airspace are requested to provide feedback on the signal strength of the broadcast to NBAA using the FAA's VOLMET testing form. Completed forms should be sent to NBAA's Mark Larsen by email at mlarsen@nbaa.org or by fax to (202) 478-0035. To download the FAA's VOLMET testing form, visit:http://www.nbaa.org/ops/intl/nat/2008-volmet-test.php

Chicago-Area Group Accepting Applications for 2009 ScholarshipsThe Chicago Area Business Aviation Association (CABAA) is currently accepting applications for the 2009 CABAA Scholarships. Sponsored by CABAA and the CABAA Education Foundation, these scholarships support Illinois students preparing for a career in business aviation as a pilot, maintenance technician, aviation administrator or manager, air traffic controller, dispatcher or other related profession. Applications are due by April 20. Recipients will be notified by July 15. Applications are available for download on the CABAA web site. Those with questions should contact CABAA’s Susan Johnson at Susan.Johnson@carey.com. For more information and to obtain a scholarship application, visit the CABAA web site at:
http://www.cabaa.com

Pilot and Disney Institute Author Bruce Kimbrell to Keynote S&D ConferencePilot, author and Disney Institute Facilitator Bruce Kimbrell will serve as keynote speaker for the Opening General Session of the milestone NBAA 20th Annual Schedulers & Dispatchers (S&D) Conference, which will take place from January 13–16 in Long Beach, CA. Kimbrell, author of Walt Disney & You – an in-house training program that connects Disney theme-park cast members with the service ideals held by founder Walt Disney – will discuss ways to exceed the expectations of others in his address on Wednesday, January 14, beginning at 8:00 a.m. To view the full press release, visit:http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2008/20081215-063.php

Last Chance to Participate in Air Charter Broker Best Practices Survey
There are only a few days left to participate in the NBAA Air Charter Broker Best Practices Survey, open through this Wednesday, December 17. The 10-minute survey is intended to help air charter brokers who do not own or operate aircraft to share information on common best practices. The role that air charter brokers play in arranging transportation has gained attention in recent years as the U.S. Department of Transportation has published guidance documents, taken enforcement actions against certain brokers and issued a proposed rule that would require customers to be advised of the names of both the company operating their flight and any broker involved in arranging their flight. The survey questions only pertain to non-exclusive information, and responses will be kept completely confidential. To take the survey, visit: http://www.nbaa.org/surveys/2008broker

NBAA Announces 2009 Call for Speakers at Regional Forums and Convention
NBAA's Annual Meeting & Convention and Business Aviation Regional Forums offer the aviation community a wide range of valuable education sessions on current industry topics, in addition to indoor exhibits and static displays of aircraft. NBAA is pleased to announce its 2009 Call for Speakers for education sessions throughout the year. NBAA welcomes proposals for presentations on topics such as safety and risk management, maintenance and technical issues, airspace and airport access, aircraft and flight operations, aviation management, aircraft ownership and career and leadership development. Proposals are due by January 15. For more information, visit:http://www.nbaa.org/about/rfp

Warning to NBAA Exhibitors About Unauthorized Show Guides
NBAA Exhibitors may receive solicitations from companies for paid listings in trade show directories, in the guise of directory update forms. Companies making such offers are not affiliated with NBAA. NBAA is the only official publisher of Exhibitor directories for NBAA-hosted events. NBAA never charges paid Exhibitors additional fees to be included in the NBAA Exhibitor directories. NBAA Exhibitors are urged to review all solicitations carefully, particularly those received by fax and e-mail. To report a third-party, directory solicitation that claims to represent NBAA, contact info@nbaa.org.

NBAA Welcomes Further Member Feedback on New Web SiteSince launching its new web site on December 1, NBAA has received overwhelmingly positive responses from Members, and welcomes Members to continue submitting feedback. The new www.nbaa.org provides the same great resources with a completely revised look and navigation. The redesigned web site features landing pages for Members, Exhibitors, Media and Students; drop-down menus on the home page; and a new search engine powered by Google. To share comments on the new www.nbaa.org, e-mail NBAA's Jason Wolf at jwolf@nbaa.org. To access NBAA's new web site, visit: http://www.nbaa.org